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December 5th, 2007

7 Tips for Mastering the “Art of Thank You” in Your Home Business

  “People don’t say thank you any more.  Or write thank you notes,” a friend mentioned the other day.

Is this you in your busy life?  In your home business?

Even though I was taught, by a mother who sat us at the dining table to write thank you notes the day after receiving a gift, I often find myself so caught up in a busy life that I must keep a “thank you note list” or “thinking of you list” so I don’t forget.  Even if it’s a verbal “thank you,” it means more than ignoring.

Translate this to your business and your customers, as well as family, friends, and strangers.  Develop a reputation as someone who appreciates others and what they do. 

*Have little appreciation notes made up that you sign and drop into customers’ bags.

*Send a thank you e-mail to your online customers. 

*If someone is especially helpful or purchases a large order, have small gifts you can include with purchase…or afterward.

*Remember your employees with thank you’s.

*Realize the “older” (grandma) generation was brought up with mothers who made sure they wrote thank you notes!

*Carry postcards with you so you can write notes while you wait or find someone needs a bit of cheer.  These may be special ones or simply those purchased at the post office with a happy face sticker on them.

*Smile!  Even those little smiling faces on your e-mail notes add a bit of cheer with thank you’s.  Seeing your smiling face often brings an answering smile and cheers the person you encounter.

Be someone of whom is said: “They always say thank you.”        

What tips do you have for mastering the  “Art of Thank You”?

Additional Posts:

Thanks & Thankfulness in Our Home Businesses

Attention to the “Little Things” by Home Business Owners

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By Mary Emma Allen -- 3 comments

April 14th, 2007

Attention to the “Little Things” by Home Business Owners

Are you taking the time to attend to “the little things” when it comes to your customers?  This would include keeping a file of your customers, getting to know them personally, sending thank you notes, new product notices, how can I help you inquiries?  These could be done by e-mail or hand written notes.  

I’ve been attending a business seminar this weekend.  At one of the sessions, the workshop instructor talked about marketing, retaining customers, and getting repeat business.  She mentioned taking time to take care of the “little things” so your customers/clients know they’re more than a dollar sign to you.

Of course, you hope  they will purchase more or think of you when they need your type of product or services. If you develop a friendship, they’ll be more likely to return.  However, if yours is a business where repeat sales are only occasional, a thank you note and other communication will help keep you in mind if they have an occasion to refer you to a friend who needs what you offer.

In our busy world, we sometimes don’t take time for those acts of thoughtfulness to make people seem special.  For years, my husband and I purchased our cars from one dealership and one salesman because he took time to get to know us, learn what we needed for a vehicle, and what we could pay.  He would send thank you notes, how are you doing notes, and haven’t seen you in awhile notes.  Joe was a popular salesman at the dealership until his retirement.

The same care with customers/clients can be taken with your home business.

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By Mary Emma Allen -- 2 comments